Why did I join SRKF? How has it changed my life?

When I think back ten years ago I joined because I wanted to be a bad ass, nunchuck twirling version of Bruce Lee.  My Dad introduced me to Bruce Lee movies as a kid.  I vividly remember Bruce in his yellow track suit kicking butt with his double chucks.  I wanted to be like Bruce and from that moment on I wanted to learn Kung Fu.  

It took me a number of years to actually start my Kung Fu journey at SRKF. I remember driving by the school many times but I couldn't muster up the courage to walk in and sign up.   I did work up the courage to call the school and I spoke to Sifu Brinker for the first time. The rest is history as they say.

But why did I truly want to join?  I wanted to get into shape, find a way to do something physical and let's be honest here, I wanted to learn how to fight.  How things have changed over the past ten years.  I've grown up and matured a lot.  I do know how to "fight" but it's more like I know how to handle myself and hope I never have to fight. 

What I've realized is that SRKF has done more for than I've realized until recently. It's helped transform me into a much better person.  I was full of ego before I started training. Through the years I've learnt to deal with my ego and fight against it.  This has everything to do with Sifu Brinker, his Sifu's and the culture of SRKF.  If you want to become a better version of yourself, a better version for your kids then you can't find a better place to do that.  SRKF is so much more than "fighting", it's a place that teaches AND demonstrates empathy and compassion.  

I've taken what I've learnt here and applied it to my personal and professional life.  I've seen myself and my family transformed for the better through my Kung Fu.  

We're living in unprecedented times where the world seems to have a "every man for himself" mentality.  Because of SRKF I don't share that view, I have a view of empathy and compassion for the people around me.  

I will be forever grateful to myself for taking that first step those ten years ago, it changed my life forever.

Mr. Repay